Check the entire “5 things that bring me joy this week” weekly series here, a collection of seemingly insignificant things that serve as a reminder to appreciate the little things — those small joys that make a difference in our day-to-day.

***Before I dive into what truly has been a mental health “hack” for me, I wanted to leave a few notes on the heartbreaking events in the Middle East.

I will admit that I don’t know nearly enough to have an opinion about the situation there. Frankly, I wish we had less opinions, and looked at the hard facts instead, but that’s another conversation. What I do know and firmly believe is that terrorism is never the answer and never justified!

I will never understand the hate some people [openly] carry within themselves for any nation, race, identity, etc. Hate never has and never will solve anything.

Terrorism and hate are pure evil, no matter the reason behind them, and they never, ever have “honorable” intentions. What exactly is being gained when all parties involved suffer?

I wish and pray for peace for everyone, because no one deserves to live through war and terror.***

Are you tired of Amazon Big Deal Days yet? I know I’m kind of over them so here’s the list of 5 [non-Amazon] things that bring me joy this week:

• cozy season! At long last, the cozy season is here; It means teas savored comfortably on the couch; When your go-to way of cooking your meals is the oven; When baking becomes a regular activity; When the intoxicating aromas take over your home; When hot showers and the steamy bathroom afterward are welcomed and pleasant… When burning candles actually makes sense… Should I go on? Oh, the little joys…

• an orchid I thought was dying, actually blooming! The orchid, or even plant lovers will understand this joy…

• yuca fries! I recently discovered them and I am obsessed — they’re so good! I stock up whenever I find them at WildFork (where we buy our seafood), but I need to find another spot for them as they’re sometimes sold out. That aside, yuca fries bring me joy!

• the stunning pottery I stumbled upon (and purchased) this past weekend! We visited Hyde Park Village this past weekend, where, without our knowledge, an art show was taking place. We admired rows and rows of incredible art, but when I came across this pottery exhibit, it stopped me in my tracks! While I have a definite weakness for pottery and ceramics (though I am still picky about them), this one has quite a unique technique and something I haven’t seen before, and I just couldn’t leave without purchasing several pieces. I only regret not getting a few more I loved, but there’s always a next time! The pieces I did buy, however, bring me immense joy!

• the rain heading our way! Florida turned me into a rain lover, but it has been a rare occurrence this year, especially in our area, and it made me crave it. With that said, the rain forecasted for the rest of the week here sure brings a lot of joy!

What’s bringing YOU joy this week?

xo,

Em